​Illawarra

Docile Milk Producer

The Illawarra cattle are a dual-purpose breed of cattle from Australia which are raised for milk and meat production. The breed was started by Australian dairymen. Name of the breed was abbreviated from the earlier Australian Illawarra Shorthorn. And it was named after Illawarra, New South Wales where they developed from original Shorthorn imports and other breeds.

The breed is descended from Jersey, Guernsey, Kerri Dexter, Friesian, Shorthorn, and Ayrshire bloodline crossings. Eventually Shorthorn and Ayrshire became the dominant breeds that composed the Illawarra breed.

​Well-planned breeding programs a standard type of conformation of dairy cattle has emerged which, having been adopted as “The Standard of Excellence” of the breed and zealously applied when examining for “Breed Type” by the Breed Inspectors

Illawarra cattle are medium to large animals with large frame. They are generally can be of rich, whole red, a rich red with a little white on the flanks or body or a full rich roan. They are fairly light in the front but increasing in width and depth towards the hindquarters. Both bulls and cows are usually horned. They have strong dark hooves and dark pigmentation. Udder of the cows should be capacious but not pendulous and well attached back and front.

​Hardy animals and they are well adapted to almost all climatic conditions. They are well adapted to the weather below 0 degrees Celsius and exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. They usually don’t require much supplementary feeding, and can make the most out of feed. The animals are generally very docile and they are also noted for their longevity.

​Illawarras are producers of large quantities of milk. Many cows produce in excess of 40 litres per day and 300 day lactations over 10,000 litres are not uncommon. Because of its moderate fat, high protein milk yield the breed is in an excellent position to take advantage of the growing world demand for protein.

​One of the most outstanding features of Illawarra cows is their ability to calve unattended with assistance rarely ever needed. Contributing factors to this highly desirable characteristic appear to be their superior pelvic formation and individual determination.

Currently the breed is available in many parts of the world. Live animals, embryos and semen have been exported to Central America, United Kingdom, Pakistan, United States, New Zealand, the Pacific Island, Canada, Korea, Japan, Indonesia and the Middle East.